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Spring Jigging For Trout

By Bud White

Well, as the days start to warm up a lot of us are getting that spring fishing bug. As I travel the show circuit for Elkhorn Lures, I always look forward to the Salt Lake sports show as it tells me it's time to put the ice gear away and get all my summer gear in order, clean and lube my reels and get that new line on and think of that big one out there waiting to stretch my line.

There's a new method of spring fishing that is really catching on around the country. It's called river jigging or lake jigging. In the spring, the water is cold and fish are slow, so you need to fish slowly and jigging is the best way.

You can work a jig slowly and also at the depth the fish are at. Fish normally stay at 4 to 18 inches off the bottom and it's hard to keep a spinner or spoon at that level consistently. Under these conditions, the jig is at its best as it will follow the bottom contours. The best rods to use for jigging are 6.5 to 8 foot, light to medium action. The proper rod action is important to help control the jig and to keep it hopping along the bottom. Use ultra thin lines in 6 or 8 pound test. For best action, I tie my jig directly to the line, but you must remember after you catch a fish or you fish for a half hour or so to break off the lure and retie it as the wear point is where the hire and line are tied together.

Use a jig just heavy enough so you can feel it touch bottom. In fast river currents you will need to go a little heavier. In stream fishing, I fish a jig downstream and bring the jig back up the current, letting the current help me work the jig. Also, keep that rod tip up and work the jig in two or three short hops then take up two or three turns of line. A flat-sided jig is better as it won't roll as much as a round head. Remember to go slow and maintain contact with the bottom. Jerk up 6 to 12 inches and let the jig fall back to the bottom. Color is very important. To help select color first think of what is the color of the natural food and use this in your selection.

In lakes, I use a jig to work the structures. Again, most fish are on the bottom and by rocks or submerged logs. Your larger fish won't chase too far to catch its feed. So remember to work slow and if you feel something touch that jig then set the hook. Most fish will hit the jig on the drop, so be ready. Cast your jig like you do a spinner, keep the rod tip up and hop it slowly down the structure or up the structure. Also, I like to add a little scent to my jigs or tip them with a little crawler leech or dead minnow.